This book was
created
especially for
Jody Marie Spitzner
at the age of 15
With Love From
Your Sister - The older one
June 23, 2001
Jody Spitzner
rolled over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew she would not be
able to go back to sleep. She had tossed and turned most of the night
because she was excited. This restlessness, however, was also partly due to
an aching calf muscle.
As Jody started to get up, she once again felt the tightening in her
leg. She rubbed her muscle and the tension eased.
Now, fully awake, Jody was very aware of the half-queasy,
half-exhilarated feeling that came before every important softball game.
But today was not like every other sports day. Today, Jody Spitzner was
competing in the last and most important softball game of the season. The
championship was at stake!
While Jody was
eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts filled her mind. She imagined her
friends and family at the softball game standing and cheering for her. She
could almost hear the announcer saying, "Jody Spitzner of Sharlton, Alabama,
is simply spectacular today."
Then her thoughts turned back to reality. Jody drank her orange juice
and rubbed her leg. She knew it was time to leave when she saw Julie and
Steve outside the kitchen window.
The ride seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally reached
their destination, Jody could see several people were already warming up.
She rushed to join her teammates.
The announcement was
made that it was time to begin. The softball game got off to a good start.
Jody felt winning was possible. The team was in great condition.
It soon became apparent that the teams were evenly matched. First one,
then the other, took the lead. With only minutes left, defeat or victory
depended entirely on Jody. Her early morning vision was coming true!
Then it happened! Suddenly the dull ache in her leg muscle became a
terrible cramp. Jody tried to go on. Again the muscle knotted and the pain
was fierce. There was no doubt about it, she could no longer compete.
The softball game ended. The championship was won by the opposing
team.
As the group
gathered around the van, Jody began to think of everything that had happened
before the softball game. She remembered her leg aching during the night
and how restless she had been. The excitement of the championship had
pushed the pain out of her mind until the fierce cramp had become
unbearable.
Jody also thought about her dream of being the hero of the day. This
morning's dream of stardom seemed foolish. She felt discouraged.
Jody and the others began to pile into the van when they saw the coach
approaching. One by one they took their seats.
Jody wondered what would be said and how Coach Dave would react. She
wished she could disappear.
Coach Dave stopped
to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van, there was total silence.
No one spoke. Jody knew that everyone was upset. She was feeling very
uneasy.
The coach got into the van. Jody continued staring at the floor.
Coach Dave broke the long silence. "We all gave our best today. All of you
on the team gave 100 percent. The cheers from the rest of you gave us a
real boost. Jody, how's your leg?"
Jody looked up. The coach was wonderful!! This softball game had
meant everything to the team, yet Coach Dave was more concerned with how
Jody felt.
Coach Dave then
told a hilarious story, and they all began to laugh and talk at once. With
words and antics, they created an instant replay of the entire softball
game. They made fun of themselves until they were weak with laughter. The
tension between them ended, and their friendship became stronger.
By the time they arrived at their favorite pizza place, Jody felt
good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic.
Jody had already decided on a medium cheese pizza and a large drink.
The restaurant was
busy. Coaches, athletes and spectators came to eat and talk about the
efforts of the teams.
As they were waiting to order, a team member joked, "Jody Spitzner,
every time we compete, you get better and better. One of these days you
might even get a professional offer." They all patted Jody on the back. No
one could lose with friends like these.
Coach Dave put an arm around Jody and hugged her. "Stack them up,
team," said the coach. The teammates piled one hand on top of the other.
Jody felt so good that she forgot the dull ache in her leg.
Jody joined Julie
and Steve and her other friends who were sitting in a booth at the back of
the restaurant. Jody was glad to see them. She had just begun to tell them
about Coach Dave when she saw Kia.
Kia was a know-it-all who never missed a chance to put someone down.
Anyone who had a bad day at any sports event was a sure target. Kia's
outspoken meanness was well known in Sharlton, Alabama.
Jody felt her heart pounding rapidly. She struggled to catch her
breath. Kia had seen Jody and was coming straight toward her. There was no
place to hide.
Kia was definitely
one of the few people who always came to criticize. Even adults often
cringed at Kia's remarks. Jody could feel everyone looking at her.
"Well, Jody, how does it feel losing the biggest softball game of the
year single-handedly?" Kia's voice boomed.
Everyone stopped eating. The entire restaurant was silent.
Julie and Steve looked up. Jody was fighting to keep control of her
emotions. All earlier feelings of disappointment came flooding back. What
could she say?
Only a few minutes
passed, but to Jody it seemed like forever. She tried to speak, but no
words would come.
Coach Dave slowly got up from the table and walked over to Kia. "If I
remember correctly, Kia," said the coach, "your poor sportsmanship caused
the penalty which lost us the championship last year. It was Jody who stuck
up for you and Jody who sat with you in this same restaurant when no one
else would. How can you criticize the one person who has treated you like a
friend?"
Kia started to answer, but seeing the look on the coach's face, knew it
was best to keep quiet.
Kia, speechless,
was a sight to behold. A sigh of relief spread throughout the entire
restaurant.
As they left the pizza place, everyone began buzzing with
conversation. Julie and Steve recalled times when Jody had been nice to
others when they needed it. Jody always seemed to be there with a word of
encouragement. Each one agreed that today's loss was not the end of the
world.
Win or lose, they knew that they could always count on Jody Spitzner
for friendship and support. Everyone was really glad Jody was on their
team.
The awards banquet
was held a few weeks later. Parents, friends, and relatives brought their
favorite dishes. Chicken, lasagna, potato salad, green beans, casseroles,
garden salads, and every dessert imaginable filled the tables. The food was
always delicious at these gatherings.
The team got together and talked about many things. One topic was the
surprise plaque for Coach Dave which they had all chipped in to buy. Jody
was pleased about this gift. It was a super way to say thank you to a
special coach.
Most of the conversation, however, was about the Sportsmanship Trophy.
This was the most-coveted award of all. Each athlete imagined how that
trophy would look on a shelf at home.
The sportsmanship
award was voted on by the team. Each member was entitled to one vote.
Several days before the banquet, Coach Dave had explained to the group
the qualifications for this trophy. According to Coach Dave, three qualities
were needed. The athlete had to show good team spirit, play by the rules of
the sport and be gracious in victory or defeat. The coach had added that,
although the trophy was not given specifically for athletic ability, a good
athlete could win.
The ballots were cast at the banquet. There were many who qualified
this year, and the vote was sure to be close.
The banquet room was
very festive. Balloons, bright paper streamers, laughter and conversation
all added to the excitement.
Coach Dave stood to begin the presentations, and the team quickly took
their seats. Jody sat next to Julie and Steve. In spite of the fact they
were excited, a hush came over the room.
"We have had a great season," said Coach Dave. "We've learned about
teamwork, winning and losing. We have learned the discipline of weekly
practices, but most importantly we've learned about friendship and
sportsmanship."
One by one, the
team members were called up to receive their participation trophy. Coach
Dave spoke of the special talent of each athlete as the awards were
presented. These remarks meant a lot to the team. They listened carefully
to the words of the coach.
As the last of the trophies were given out, the anticipation began to
grow. Finally, only the large, shiny, gold Sportsmanship Trophy remained on
the table. Everyone held their breath. The coach continued, "The vote was
close this year. In fact, the trophy was won by only one vote. Jody
Spitzner, your teammates have voted that this award go to you."
Unknown to everyone, Kia had cast the tie-breaking vote.
The team had not won
the championship, but they had learned many important lessons. They knew it
was difficult to lose, but as long as they kept trying, they could not be
defeated. Good sportsmanship now had real meaning. Winning was not
everything. Their spirits had never been higher. Jody beamed with pride as
the team gathered around her. Groups of friends excitedly talked about the
fantastic team they would have next year. Jody Spitzner was eagerly looking
forward to another season.
Autographs
for
Jody Spitzner
